What is Sucrose Cocoate?

Sucrose cocoate is a mild natural surfactant often used as a co-surfactant in cleansing formulas such as shampoos and shower gels. It is a conditioning surfactant that has emollient-like properties that help create more moisturising cleansers.

Benefits of Sucrose Cocoate for skin and hair care

Sucrose cocoate is a unique natural surfactant that has more in common with conditioning emulsifiers like BTMS, than traditional cleansing surfactants. When added to cleansing formulas it conditions hair and skin, creating milder products that don’t feel overly drying. Sucrose cocoate enhances the texture and feel of cleansers, making them more luxurious and less stripping. Its refatting properties counteract the need for additional emollients in products like shampoos and body washes, that can interfere with their cleansing abilities.

How to use Sucrose Cocoate in formulations

On its own, sucrose cocoate has low cleansing and foaming abilities, but when used in conjunction with other surfactants it reduces irritation, and creates milder, more well-rounded cleansers. Sucrose cocoate can be used as a conditioning agent in aqueous solutions, and as a natural alternative to using PEGs or synthetic refatting agents. It is particularly suited for use in “oil-free’” shampoos as its conditioning properties prevent hair feeling dry or stripped.